Warisan open to accepting Independent reps — Mohd Shafie

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah ( Warisan) president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said his party was open to accepting Independent elected representatives as members, however, they should do so without any pre- conditions.

Mohd Shafie, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, said Warisan, as the Sabah government’s linchpin party, was always receptive to ideas which could unify the people and develop the state.

“So far, there have been elected representatives who have expressed a desire to join us (Warisan) and we are open, but in this cooperation, I hope there is no pre- condition requested by any party,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after a ceremony to mark the loan repayment from the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) to the Sabah state government, outside the State Assembly here yesterday.

On Wednesday, a total of 14 elected representatives from Sabah Umno left the party to become Independent candidates and expressed their support for the government.

They comprised five MPs, namely Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee ( Beluran), Yamani Hafez Musa ( Sipitang), Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun ( Beaufort), Datuk Zakaria Edris ( Libaran) and Datuk Rahim Bakri ( Kudat).

The other nine were state assemblymen Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor ( Sulaman), Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun ( Karanaan), Datuk Japlin Akim ( Usukan), Datuk Musbah Jameh ( Tempasuk), Datuk Gulam Haidar Khan ( Kawang), Datuk Mohd Arifin Arif ( Membakut), Datuk Isnin Aliasnih ( Klias), Matbali Musah ( Lumadan) and Datuk Nizam Titingan (Apas).

Mohd Shafie said the government’s main concern was the people of Sabah, and it would continue to help develop all areas in the state, including those won by the opposition.

“The government has a policy that we will help all the people in the state ... we have placed no restrictions in the party or government to ensure that the state continues to be developed,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the ceremony yesterday, Mohd Shafie said Sedco presented RM7 million as loan repayment to the government. — Bernama